Hotel Maya, Kuala Lumpur

It may seem like everyone has left HK for the summer but don’t fret – if you only have one weekend to spare and desperately need to get away, head down to Kuala Lumpur and stay at the bright, spacious and funky Hotel Maya, perfectly located next to the Petronas towers and swanky KLCC shopping mall (possibly the only mall bathroom we’ve ever been in with The Body Shop creams and soaps in the toilets!).

The hotel has earned itself a fab reputation as one of the best boutique hotels in the city, with stunning views from the floor to ceiling windows that look over the KL skyline and towers. The suites are absolutely huge and make a nice change from small HK apartments – it really feels like you’re on holiday when you stay here. If you can, book a junior suite as these are the perfect compromise between price and space. They also have a super indoor hydrotherapy pool (below)where you can enjoy a cooling dip after sightseeing – a lovely respite from the KL summer. One tip if you do stay here, though: make sure to ask for a tower view room, as the view from the back of the hotel isn’t as good.

Their ‘stay three nights, pay for two’ promotion is a real gem. You’ll not only receive a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe suite, breakfast, early check-in or late check-out, but also your choice of roundtrip airport transfers, one hour Maya Experience spa package for two or a full day tour to the Historical Malacca with lunch for two (from MYR 700 per room per night – approximately HKD 1,700).

While you’re in the city, you must try some of the fabulous food on offer. Hokkien mee, nasi lemak and kaya toast are some of our favourite noodle, rice and snack foods respectively. For local and international eats, head to Changkat Bukit Bintang, a street which comes alive at night with the smells and flavours of the city. Your stomach will thank you!

Standard rates for junior suites from MYR 1,000++ per room per night (approximately HKD 2,500).

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Recommended by QUINTESSENTIALLY, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group with a 24-hour global concierge service. Committed to the notion that quality matters, whether it be travel, music, art, food, hotels, clubs, spas, restaurants, tickets or – most particularly – service, they aim to bring their members and clients nothing but the very best. www.quintessentially.com